Position Description
Position: Senior Program Associate
Reports to: VP, Strategy and Impact
Location: This position is based in Atlanta, Georgia. AWBI (Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative) is currently operating under a hybrid work policy with the majority of our staff primarily working remotely except for one anchor day and one community day each week when all staff are expected to work in the office. Individuals may be required to work in the office or attend in-person meetings or events when it is necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their job.
Organization Summary
Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative (AWBI) is a catalytic nonprofit that seeks to achieve shared prosperity by building Black wealth through community wealth building strategies. We are a community of investors, advocates, and activists working to transform systems and structures of capital to create opportunities for Black residents in Atlanta and across the South. We promote an understanding of community wealth-building strategies to cultivate the engagement, capacity, and leadership necessary to shape a new economic narrative.
By challenging systemic bias and introducing new systems and structures of capital, AWBI aims to re-engineer and redesign the economic ecosystem such that all sectors, from small businesses to large corporations, to anchor institutions, philanthropy, nonprofits, and government, consider day-to-day how to integrate the economic well-being of our most disinvested communities into their strategy, operations, and policies. To learn more about AWBI’s commitment and motivation to build Black wealth, please read our manifesto The beloved economy: The imperative to build Black wealth.
Position Summary
The Sr. Program Associate role was created to help support a dynamic portfolio of work focused on building an inclusive economy that promotes thriving communities. We are looking for someone with a sharp racial justice lens, strong organizational skills, and experience working with senior leaders in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment. Values matter to us: we require someone who is collaborative and driven, recognizes the importance of fostering solidarity-centric and inclusive cultures, and has a genuine passion for achieving racial and economic justice. The candidate must be focused on evidence-based and results-oriented practice and application of community wealth building principles. This position requires intellectual curiosity, an ability to scrutinize and question facts and theories of experts, humility to embrace the learning of new skills and approaches, and a desire to grow in knowledge and practice in the field.
The Sr. Program Associate will work closely with AWBI’s Vice President of Strategy and the team to help develop the organization’s strategic direction. This position will be responsible for the execution of portfolio strategies that seek to expand community wealth builidng tatics and approaches, be an inclusive and collaborative leader & colleague who is visionary and forward-thinking and will inspire team members to make an impact on Black wealth through thoughtful analysis, engagement, and application of approaches.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Vice President of Strategy and Impact, the Sr. Program Associate will lead the implementation of programs that advance AWBI’s mission and vision. The Sr. Program Associate will have the following responsibilities:
Works with the Vice President of Strategy and Impact and the Sr. Program Associate in developing and implementing AWBI’s three areas as an intermediary focused on strengthening the echo system: Entrepreneurship, Shared Ownership Models, Capacity and Infrastructure Building.
Support the implementation and launch of the Black Community Wealth Network. This includes assisting in planning and coordination of the convening.
Work with key community and nonprofit partners to create a nonprofit and technical expert support system and peer network to help businesses grow and scale;
Identify and collaborate across many leadership categories including grassroots, non-profit, governmental, and multi-cultural community leadership to build and develop strategies aligned to organization and program goals.
Engage with business owners, consultants, and nonprofit partners to support shared back office and procurement technical assistance;
Assist in data collection and synthesis/sense making of program reports
Cultivate relationships with local anchor institutions, funders, and community partners including, universities, Fortune 500 companies, community foundations, and government in the creation of a local network to consciously drive resources in support of a local and inclusive economy;
Work in support of the execution of AWBI’s thought leadership strategy, including, program planning and development, stakeholder engagement, monitoring of program outcomes, and collaboration and partnership.
Assist program team in developing annual work plans to achieve programmatic goals
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate must believe in the core values of AWBI and be driven by the organization’s mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change. The Sr. Program Associate will possess experience, knowledge, and competencies in the following areas:
Community Wealth Building, Racial Equity and Economic Inclusion - Must have a clear understanding and ability to serve as subject matter expert and thought leader in the areas of community wealth building and economic inclusion. The Sr. Program Associate will support the program team’s efforts to execute programming and partnerships around community wealth building strategies including enterprise development, anchor procurement, financing, and strategic capital investment Additionally, the successful candidate must champion awareness of issues pertaining to economic development, community wealth building and racial equity;
Business Development and Entrepreneurship - Must have a background in business development and awareness of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs of color; understanding of policies and influence systemic changes requisite for viable procurement opportunities for Black-owned businesses and subcontractors beyond current social networks and capital; familiarity with Atlanta’s small business and nonprofit business support ecosystem;
Convening and Coordination - Experience with planning and logistics coordination to convene community members, businesses, and stakeholders;
Leadership Skills and Acumen - Mature interpersonal skills and strong executive presence; demonstrated ability to work on high-functioning teams and move seamlessly between leading and following; personal qualities of integrity and credibility;
Results Driven - Candidate should have a proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation, as well as problem solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness;
Strategic Vision and Agility - Ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan;
Action Oriented and Self-Directed - Enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; able to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation;
Educational Background - Undergraduate degree required or a combination of work and education experience
Organizational Cultural Alignment - Alignment with and willingness to cultivate AWBI’s core values of inclusion, collaboration, innovation, courage, impact, and sustainability within the organization.
PREFERRED QUALITIES
An unapologetic commitment to just outcomes for Black communities
Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse audiences
Able to express yourself clearly and concisely to different audiences
Grace under pressure and a good sense of humor
Focused and flexible: no matter where it happens, the job gets done
Compensation & HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should send a resume listing relevant qualifications to hr@atlantawealthbuilding.org in PDF format with “Sr. Program Associate” in the subject line. This is a full-time position. The salary for this position will range from $72,000-$85,000 based on experience, and comes with an excellent benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, and life insurance.
DISCLAIMER: The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.